Management Apprentice at Aldi

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

10/10

Working deliveries. Replenishing the store. Working the tills. Opening/closing store with other members of staff. Holding the safe. Sorting the waste then putting it on the system. Doing claims. Managing staff. Doing Orders. Dealing with customer complaints/questions. Doing remerches. Working specials.
No two days are the same in an ALDI store. There is never a dull moment and you'll never be bored as there is always something to do, which can be a good thing however sometimes there is too much to do and its difficult to manage everything in time.

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

10/10

I have gained Retail Sales, Level 2 SVQ and Retail Management Pathway, Level 3 SVQ apprenticeships over the past three years. I have became more confident in dealing with the public.

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

6/10

I have enjoyed the last two months of my apprenticeship more then before. I recently moved into another store(and region) and I have received more training in these last two months then I did before. The store I was in before, the manager didn't care for my training at all and only sat down with me once(within 2 and a half years) to see how I was getting on after my area manager instructed her to do so. She would never help me if I asked for it and was considered an 'idiot' if I didn't know something(despite her not telling me in the first place). The store I am in now is completely different. The manager takes an actual interest in your training and recently spent two days with me going over everything and trying to get me up to speed. One of these days was actually his day off yet still came in, something that in the store before would never happen as she refused to ever come in on her day off. This would of only gotten 1 star if I was still in my old store.

4. How valued do you feel by Aldi?

6/10

Old store; this again would of been a one star. Manager was awful, This section of the comment has been removed by a
member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did
not meet our site terms and conditions Would never stay behind to help if was needed yet expected everyone else too. Expected to drop everything and come in to cover shifts/help out even if you were busy(I once got into trouble for not coming in to help even though I was visiting my gran who just got out of hospital). The deputies at this store were fantastic though, they would always try and show me how to do things, even though it wasn't their responsibility. They would always try and help me, but soon afterwards we weren't allowed to work together as the manager thought we were being too 'pally' with each other and I was then left to try and teach myself(or have to text the deputies asking them to try explain things to me)
New store; Again, much better then my old store. Always feel valued.

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

8/10

On the side organised from the college, very good. They always let you know what you need to know and by what date parts of the folio needs done by. They let you know six months in advance what dates your assessor would be coming in store to see you(always once a month). Despite this though the manager would always rota me in on days I'd be off when my assessor was coming to see me, despite her constantly telling my manager this should NOT happen.

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

10/10

My college assessor was fantastic. She would always help me when I needed it and had a brilliant attitude. No complaints at all.

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

7/10

As said before, manager in old store was awful. No support and awful attitude.
Manager in new store is brilliant. Fantastic attitude towards everything and everyone supported me since I came to his store. No complaints

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

9/10

As you progress through the years the wage increases. For me personally, as long as I was working at least 30hr/w i had a good salary, however as I don't drive and my rent is pretty low I've managed to get by without much problems. For someone who drives/has a family to support/mortgage etc this wouldn't be suitable.

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

7/10

ALDI has improved over the last year or so to get staff involved in company events/activities. Its hard to have something on every week (like a sports group etc) as they cant Guarantee you'll manage to have that time off every week. Social life outside work suffers massively as you are always working at least one day of the weekend(which is expected in retail)

9a. Would you recommend Aldi to a friend? *

Yes

9b. Why? *

I would only recommend ALDI to a friend if they get a good store. My experience in ALDI has only been good recently as I am in a much better store.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Aldi? *

Research the store before you apply to it, are the staff genuinely happy there? If so, go in and give it 100% :)